auto mechanic and service center

[BCClone]

I get more satisfaction with customer service going through my small town mechanic than i do with anything dealership related

havent had a problem he couldnt fix.. yet.

What’s his mom like?

 

[BCClone]

Yeah I work in des moines. I worked at stew hansen hyundai. I always felt as far as dealerships go their rates were on the low end. The problem is the dealership service business model is not geared towards helping people fix their cars the most economical and fastest way. They way they pay their employees and operate their buildings leads to less than honest business practices. For instance as a service writer I was paid a commission on how much labor I sold a customer. On anything that the customer pays for I would get the highest percentage of pay. On warranty work I would get less than half of what customer pay is. In internals (if the used car department was paying) it was so low I didn't even notice it on my paycheck. This will incentivize selling add on repairs that aren't necessary to make a paycheck high enough to pay your own bills. They also pay "spiffs" on added sales of things like air filters, alignments, fluid flushes or wiper blades. Dealer recommended services are not usually the same as manufacture recommended services. When the manufacturer will suggest trans flush at 100k the dealer will suggest it at 60k. As a mechanic you have to do the work that is sold. So if I saw a loose ball joint on the driver's side I would recommend replacing that loose ball joint. Then the service writer will sell the repair. Usually they will sell ball joints on both sides as "they are the same age if one is loose the other will probably fail soon too." There may be nothing wrong with the other one but it gets sold padding the invoice. So the mechanic has a choice. Replace a good part or say no thank you I don't want the extra labor you sold.

TLDR: I don't think the dealership model is an economical or fast way to service your car. I would find an independent shop that you trust or people you know trust.

Note: This isn't to say all dealerships operate this way but generally speaking it is the norm.

I had my transmission serviced at like 92k miles due to heavy pulling in a pickup. A new service manager came in and at 100k told me it needed to be changed. I asked what the fluid looked like and he said some BS. I asked him to look up when the last time I did it, an awkward pause and he said 2 oil changed ago. He still said it was needed. I never used them again.

 

[CycloneEggie]

Went to the dealership for a long time until I tried Beckley Auto in DSM, have never gone back.

I second this. We have used more local shops around Ankeny (Tim's Amaco in Ankeny or McCannic's in Saylorville), but Tim's wouldn't work on my wife's Volvo and recommended Beckley's. They were great to work with and we will be taking the Volvo there for service as the Volvo dealership wasn't very responsive and more expensive.

 

[CoachHines3]

What’s his mom like?

dirty

 

[cyfan21]

UPDATE:

The service center called today and was able to look at and diagnose my Jeep.

The thermostat and water pump need replaced. The estimated cost is $1018.19 and can expect it to be ready for pickup by Monday at the latest since they have parts on hand.